Supplement | Amount | Why |
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Artichoke | 500 to 1,000 mg cynarin in a standardized herbal extract three times per day | [3 stars] Extracts of artichoke have been repeatedly shown in research to be beneficial for people with indigestion. |
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Astaxanthin | 4 to 12 mg per day | [2 stars] The carotenoid astaxanthin may inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori and reduce related gastric inflammation. |
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Bitter Orange | 3 cups of tea daily, prepared with 1 to 2 grams of dried peel | [2 stars] Bitter orange has traditionally been used as a digestive aid. |
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Caraway | 50 mg of oil plus 90 mg of peppermint oil in enteric-coated capsules taken three times per day for indigestion only | [2 stars] One trial found that a combination with peppermint, caraway, and fennel was useful in reducing gas and cramping in people with indigestion. |
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Charcoal | Refer to label instructions
| [2 stars] Supplementing with charcoal may help relieve gas. |
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Digestive Enzymes | Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner | [2 stars] Lipase, a pancreatic enzyme, aids in the digestion of fats and may improve digestion in some people. |
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Fennel | 1/2 tsp (2 to 3 grams) of ground or crushed seeds three times daily, taken directly or as tea | [2 stars] Studies have found that a combination of peppermint, caraway, and fennel is useful in reducing gas and cramping in people with indigestion. |
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Ginger | 2 to 4 grams daily fresh ginger or equivalent for indigestion | [2 stars] Ginger, with its anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea effects, has a history of use in treating gastrointestinal complaints, from flatulence to ulcers. It has been shown to enhance intestinal movements that aid digestion. |
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Greater Celandine | 4 to 8 mg chelidonine in a standardized herbal extract three times per day | [2 stars] One study found that a standardized extract of greater celandine could relieve indigestion symptoms (such as abdominal cramping, sensation of fullness, and nausea) significantly better than placebo. |
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Linden | Several cups of tea per day, made with 2 to 3 tsp of dried flowers per cup of hot water, for indigestion | [2 stars] Linden has a long tradition of use for indigestion. It has antispasmodic action and may help people who suffer from upset stomach or excessive gas. |
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Peppermint | 90 mg of oil plus 50 mg of caraway oil in enteric-coated capsules taken three times per day, for indigestion only | [2 stars] A combination of peppermint, caraway, and fennel has been shown to reduce gas and cramping in people with indigestion |
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Sage | 4 to 6 grams daily of dried leaf or equivalent, for indigestion | [2 stars] Sage is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. |
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Turmeric (Curcumin) | 500 mg four times per day, for indigestion | [2 stars] In a double-blind trial, turmeric was found to relieve indigestion. |
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Vitamin B12 (Delayed Gastric Emptying, Helicobacter Pylori Infection) | 1,000 mcg daily | [2 stars] Vitamin B12 may be beneficial for people with delayed emptying of the stomach in association with Helicobacter pylori infection and low blood levels of vitamin B12. |
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Andrographis | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Andrographis acts as a digestive stimulant and may be helpful for indigestion. |
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Anise | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Anise is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. |
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Barberry | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Taking barberry may help stimulate digestion and relieve an upset stomach. |
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Basil | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Basil is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. |
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Betaine Hydrochloride | Consult your doctor
| [1 star] Supplementing betaine hydrochloride with meals may improve digestion in people who have been diagnosed with low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria).
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Bitter Melon | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Bitter melon acts as a digestive stimulant and may be helpful for indigestion. |
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Bladderwrack | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Bladderwrack is a demulcent herb, meaning it seems to work by decreasing inflammation and forming a barrier against irritants such as stomach acid. |
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Blessed Thistle | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Blessed thistle acts as a digestive stimulant and may be helpful for indigestion. |
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Boldo | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Boldo has a history of use in South America for a variety of digestive conditions. |
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Cardamom | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Cardamom is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. |
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Centaury | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Centaury acts as a digestive stimulant and may be helpful for indigestion. |
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Chamomile | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Chamomile is effective in relieving inflamed or irritated mucous membranes of the digestive tract. |
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Chaparral | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] People in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico have long used chaparral tea to help calm upset stomachs. |
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Cinnamon | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Cinnamon is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. |
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Cloves | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Cloves are a gas-relieving herb and may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. |
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Coriander | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Carminatives (also called aromatic digestive tonics or aromatic bitters) such as coriander, may be used to relieve symptoms of indigestion, particularly when there is excessive gas. |
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Dandelion | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Dandelion acts as a digestive stimulant and may be helpful for indigestion. |
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Devil’s Claw | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Devil’s claw acts as a digestive stimulant and may be helpful for indigestion. |
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Dill | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Dill is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. |
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Elecampane | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Elecampane has been used by herbalists to treat people with indigestion. |
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European Angelica | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] European angelica is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. |
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Fructo-oligosaccharides | 5 grams per day
| [1 star] Supplementing with fructo-oligosaccharides may help relieve abdominal discomfort, fullness, constipation, urgency, and diarrhea.
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Gentian | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Gentian is a bitter herb thought to stimulate digestion by increasing saliva production and promoting stomach acid and digestive enzyme production. |
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Goldenseal | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Goldenseal is a digestive stimulant widely used in traditional medicine in North America. |
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Horehound | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Horehound’s major active constituent increases the flow of saliva and gastric juice. |
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Juniper | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Juniper acts as a digestive stimulant and may be helpful for indigestion. |
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Lavender | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Lavender is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. |
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Lemon Balm | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Lemon balm is a gas-relieving herb that is used traditionally for indigestion. |
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Licorice | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice protects the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract by increasing the production of mucin, a compound that protects against the adverse effects of stomach acid and various harmful substances. |
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Marshmallow | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Marshmallow is a demulcent herb, meaning it seems to work by decreasing inflammation and forming a barrier against irritants such as stomach acid. |
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Oregano | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Oregano is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. |
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Oregon Grape | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Oregon grape may stimulate digestion and relieve spasms in the intestinal tract. |
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Picrorhiza | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Boldo has been used in South America for a variety of digestive conditions. |
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Prickly Ash | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Prickly ash acts as a digestive stimulant and may be helpful for indigestion. |
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Rooibos | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Rooibos is traditionally used as a tea as a digestive aid. |
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Rosemary | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Rosemary is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. |
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Slippery Elm | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Slippery elm may have an anti-inflammatory effect in the stomach and intestines, and its mucilage content appears to protect against the damaging effects of acid on the esophagus. |
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Thyme | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Thyme is a gas-relieving herb that may be helpful in calming an upset stomach. |
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Vervain | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Vervain is a digestive stimulant widely used in traditional medicine in North America. |
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Vitamin B-Complex | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] People with achlorhydria (no stomach acid) or hypochlorhydria may not metabolize B vitamins properly, putting them at risk of developing various nutritional deficiencies, which could presumably contribute to the development of a wide range of health problems. |
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Wormwood | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Wormwood is believed to stimulate digestion and relieve spasms in the intestinal tract. |
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Yarrow | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Yarrow is a digestive stimulant widely used in traditional medicine in North America. |
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Yellow Dock | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Yellow dock is a digestive stimulant widely used in traditional medicine in North America. |
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